Wind-Deflecting Wiper Adapter Geometry for High-Speed Contact Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wiper devices require high contact pressing force to ensure effective wiper performance, which can lead to unfavorable aerodynamics and reduced efficiency, especially when driving fast, and may impede wiper performance or make wiping impossible.
Innovation Solution
An adapter unit with a wind deflector face that has specific angular configurations to utilize wind forces for pressing the wiper blade onto the vehicle glass, reducing the required contact pressing force and enhancing aerodynamic properties, allowing for a more cost-effective, simpler, and compact wiper arm design with lower spring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high contact pressing force is applied by the wiper arm to ensure sufficient wiper performance, then the wiper blade is pressed firmly onto the vehicle glass, but the aerodynamic properties deteriorate when driving fast, generating counterforces that impede wiper performance
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflector face is designed to convert the harmful aerodynamic force (headwind) into a beneficial pressing force. The specific angular configuration (rear angle between 110° and 160°) directs the wind force onto the wind deflector face, which then presses the wiper blade onto the vehicle glass, transforming the harmful aerodynamic counterforce into a useful contributing force for wiper performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the adapter unit, specifically the rear angle of the wind deflector face periphery, to optimize the conversion of wind force into pressing force. By adjusting this angle within the range of 110° to 160°, the aerodynamic characteristics are modified to achieve favorable force direction and magnitude
2Reliability
If a high contact pressing force is required to be applied by the wiper arm, then sufficient wiper performance is guaranteed, but the wiper arm design becomes more complex and requires stronger springs
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter unit with the wind deflector face enables the wiper system to utilize environmental resources (wind/headwind) to contribute to the pressing force. This self-service mechanism reduces the burden on the wiper arm and spring, as the aerodynamic force automatically supplements the pressing force during vehicle motion, eliminating the need for an overly robust mechanical design
3Reliability
If a high contact pressing force is applied by the wiper arm, then the wiper blade stays firmly on the glass, but the required spring force increases, making the system less cost-effective
Solution Approach 1:
By converting the harmful aerodynamic force into a beneficial pressing force through the wind deflector face, the system reduces the mechanical pressing force requirement from the wiper arm. This allows for the use of less expensive, lighter springs and simpler wiper arm structures while maintaining sufficient contact pressing force, thereby improving cost-effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adapter unit effectively increases the overall contact pressing force on the vehicle glass using wind deflection, ensuring improved wiper performance and preventing counterforces that could impede wiping, while allowing for a more efficient and reliable wiper operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wind deflector face which is configured for deflecting an incident flow of air and for pressing the wiper blade onto a vehicle glass
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter unit which is provided for coupling, in particular releasably coupling, a wiper blade to a wiper arm, having a wind deflecting surface which is designed to deflect inflowing air and press the wiper blade against a vehicle pane, wherein the wind deflecting surface is bordered by a wind deflecting surface edge, and the wind deflecting surface edge has at least •a side which faces the wind and which extends largely in a wiper arm direction, •a side which faces away from the wind and which extends largely in the wiper arm direction, a right-hand side which is arranged between the side facing the wind and the side facing away from the wind and which is arranged on the wiper arm side of the adapter and is designed to couple the adapter unit to the wiper arm, •a rear left-hand side which adjoins the side facing away from the wind and is arranged on the adapter side opposite the wiper arm side, and •a front left-hand side which adjoins the side facing the wind and is arranged on the adapter side lying opposite the wiper arm side. According to the invention, the side facing away from the wind and the right-hand side define a rear angle ranging between 110° and 160°, preferably between 120° and 150°, particularly preferably between 130° and 140°.